scholarly journals Hormonal and Spatial Regulation of Nitric Oxide Synthases (NOS) (Neuronal NOS, Inducible NOS, and Endothelial NOS) in the Oviducts

Endocrinology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 147 (12) ◽  
pp. 5600-5610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérome Lapointe ◽  
Monica Roy ◽  
Isabelle St-Pierre ◽  
Sarah Kimmins ◽  
Danny Gauvreau ◽  
...  

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical produced by the action of NO synthases (NOS) and is known to be involved in the regulation of many reproductive events that occur in the oviducts. The oviducts are highly specialized organs that play crucial roles in reproduction by providing an optimal environment for the final maturation of gametes, fertilization, and early embryo development. In this study, we analyzed the expression, hormonal regulation, and cellular distribution of neuronal, inducible, and endothelial NOS in different bovine oviduct segments to better understand the roles played by these enzymes in oviductal functions in vivo. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that NOS isoforms are hormonally regulated and differentially expressed along the oviduct throughout the estrous cycle. All NOS were highly expressed around the time of estrus, and immunohistochemistry studies determined that neuronal NOS, inducible NOS (iNOS), and endothelial NOS are differentially distributed in cells along the oviduct. Interestingly, our results showed that estradiol selectively up-regulates iNOS expression in the oviduct during the periovulatory period corresponding to the window of ovulation, oocyte transport, and fertilization. The resulting NO production by this high-output NOS may be of crucial importance for reproductive events that occur in the oviduct. This study provided the first demonstration that NO production is hormonally regulated in the mammalian oviducts in vivo. Our results suggest that neuronal NOS, iNOS, and endothelial NOS contribute to oviductal functions in a timely and site-specific manner.

2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (5) ◽  
pp. L1071-L1081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingyao Liu ◽  
Lorraine Tremblay ◽  
Stephen D. Cassivi ◽  
Xiao-Hui Bai ◽  
Eric Mourgeon ◽  
...  

Decreased nitric oxide (NO) production has been reported during lung transplantation in patients. To study the effects of ischemia and reperfusion on endogenous NO synthase (NOS) expression, both an ex vivo and an in vivo lung injury model for transplantation were used. Donor rat lungs were flushed with cold low-potassium dextran solution and subjected to either cold (4°C for 12 h) or warm (21°C for 4 h) ischemic preservation followed by reperfusion with an ex vivo model. A significant increase in inducible NOS and a decrease in endothelial NOS mRNA was found after reperfusion. These results were confirmed in a rat single-lung transplant model after warm preservation. Interestingly, protein contents of both inducible NOS and endothelial NOS increased in the transplanted lung after 2 h of reperfusion. However, the total activity of NOS in the transplanted lungs remained at very low levels. We conclude that ischemic lung preservation and reperfusion result in altered NOS gene and protein expression with inhibited NOS activity, which may contribute to the injury of lung transplants.


2005 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal C. Chiari ◽  
Martin W. Bienengraeber ◽  
Dorothee Weihrauch ◽  
John G. Krolikowski ◽  
Judy R. Kersten ◽  
...  

Background Isoflurane produces delayed preconditioning in vivo. The authors tested the hypothesis that endothelial, inducible, or neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is a trigger or mediator of this protective effect. Methods In the absence or presence of exposure to isoflurane (1.0 minimum alveolar concentration) 24 h before experimentation, pentobarbital-anesthetized rabbits (n = 128) instrumented for hemodynamic measurement received 0.9% saline (control), the nonselective NOS inhibitor N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (10 mg/kg), one of two of the selective inducible NOS antagonists aminoguanidine (300 mg/kg) or 1400W (0.5 mg/kg), or the selective neuronal NOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (50 mg/kg) administered before exposure to isoflurane (trigger; day 1) or left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion (mediator; day 2). All rabbits underwent 30 min of coronary occlusion followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Tissue samples for reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were also obtained in the presence or absence of N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester with or without isoflurane pretreatment. Results Isoflurane significantly (P < 0.05) reduced infarct size (23 +/- 5% [mean +/- SD] of the left ventricular area at risk; triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining) as compared with control (42 +/- 7%). N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester administered before isoflurane or coronary occlusion abolished protection (49 +/- 7 and 43 +/- 10%, respectively). Aminoguanidine, 1400W, and 7-nitroindazole did not alter infarct size or affect isoflurane-induced delayed preconditioning. Isoflurane increased endothelial but not inducible NOS messenger RNA transcription and protein translation immediately and 24 h after administration of the volatile agent. Pretreatment with N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester attenuated isoflurane-induced increases in endothelial NOS expression. Conclusions The results suggest that endothelial NOS but not inducible or neuronal NOS is a trigger and mediator of delayed preconditioning by isoflurane in vivo.


1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Gidday ◽  
Aarti R. Shah ◽  
Raymond G. Maceren ◽  
Qiong Wang ◽  
Dale A. Pelligrino ◽  
...  

Neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia can be realized if the brain is preconditioned by previous exposure to a brief period of sublethal ischemia. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) produced from the neuronal isoform of NO synthase (NOS) serves as a necessary signal for establishing an ischemia-tolerant state in brain. A newborn rat model of hypoxic preconditioning was used, wherein exposure to sublethal hypoxia (8% oxygen) for 3 hours renders postnatal day (PND) 6 animals completely resistant to a cerebral hypoxic-ischemic insult imposed 24 hours later. Postnatal day 6 animals were treated 0.5 hour before preconditioning hypoxia with the nonselective NOS inhibitor L-nitroarginine (2 mg/kg intraperitoneally). This treatment, which resulted in a 67 to 81% inhibition of calcium-dependent constitutive NOS activity 0.5 to 3.5 hours after its administration, completely blocked preconditioning-induced protection. However, administration of the neuronal NOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (40 mg/kg intraperitoneally) before preconditioning hypoxia, which decreased constitutive brain NOS activity by 58 to 81%, was without effect on preconditioning-induced cerebroprotection, as was pretreatment with the inducible NOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (400 mg/kg intraperitoneally). The protective effects of preconditioning were also not blocked by treating animals with competitive [3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonate; 5 mg/kg intraperitoneally] or noncompetitive (MK-801; 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally) N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists prior to preconditioning hypoxia. These findings indicate that NO production and activity are critical to the induction of ischemic tolerance in this model. However, the results argue against the involvement of the neuronal NOS isoform, activated secondary to a hypoxia-induced stimulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, and against the involvement of the inducible NOS isoform, but rather suggest that NO produced by the endothelial NOS isoform is required to mediate this profound protective effect.


Endocrinology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 145 (10) ◽  
pp. 4550-4557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Xia ◽  
Teresa L. Krukoff

Abstract Although it is becoming increasingly evident that nitric oxide (NO) mediates some of estrogen’s actions in the brain, the effects of estrogen on NO production through NO synthases (NOS) in neuronal cells have not yet been identified. Here we assessed changes in NO production induced by 17β-estradiol (E2) in cells of neuronal origin using human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells, which we show express all three isoforms of NOS. Involvement of NOS isoforms in E2-induced NO production was examined using isoform-specific NOS inhibitors. E2 (10−10–10−6m) induced rapid increases in NO release and changes in endothelial NOS (eNOS) expression, which were blocked by ICI 182,780, an antagonist of estrogen receptors. Increased levels of NO release and NOS activity induced by E2 were blocked by N5-(1-Imino-3-butenyl)-l-ornithine, a neuronal NOS inhibitor, and N5-(1-Iminoethyl)-l-ornithine, an eNOS inhibitor, but not by 1400W, an inducible NOS inhibitor. These results demonstrate that E2-stimulated NO production occurs via estrogen receptor-mediated activation of the constitutive NOSs, neuronal NOS and eNOS. The E2-induced NO increase was abolished when extracellular Ca2+ was removed from the medium or after the addition of nifedipine, an L-type channel blocker, and was partially inhibited using 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester, an intracellular Ca2+ chelator. However, 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester itself also caused an increase in NO release that was blocked by 1400W, suggesting that inducible NOS mediates this response. Together these data reveal that constitutive NOS activities are responsible for E2- induced NO production in neuroblastoma cells and that differential activation of NOS isoforms in these cells occurs in response to different treatments.


2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 359-366
Author(s):  
J. Li ◽  
B. Shi ◽  
S. Yan ◽  
L. Jin ◽  
Y. Guo ◽  
...  

The effects of chitosan on nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and gene expression in vivo or vitro were investigated in weaned piglets. In vivo, 180 weaned piglets were assigned to five dietary treatments with six replicates. The piglets were fed on a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 100, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg chitosan/kg feed, respectively. In vitro, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a weaned piglet were cultured respectively with 0 (control), 40, 80, 160, and 320 µg chitosan/ml medium. Results showed that serum NO concentrations on days 14 and 28 and iNOS activity on day 28 were quadratically improved with increasing chitosan dose (P < 0.05). The iNOS mRNA expressions were linearly or quadratically enhanced in the duodenum on day 28, and were improved quadratically in the jejunum on days 14 and 28 and in the ileum on day 28 (P < 0.01). In vitro, the NO concentrations, iNOS activity, and mRNA expression in unstimulated PBMCs were quadratically enhanced by chitosan, but the improvement of NO concentrations and iNOS activity by chitosan were markedly inhibited by N-(3-[aminomethyl] benzyl) acetamidine (1400w) (P < 0.05). Moreover, the increase of NO concentrations, iNOS activity, and mRNA expression in PBMCs induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were suppressed significantly by chitosan (P < 0.05). The results indicated that the NO concentrations, iNOS activity, and mRNA expression in piglets were increased by feeding chitosan in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, chitosan improved the NO production in unstimulated PBMCs but inhibited its production in LPS-induced cells, which exerted bidirectional regulatory effects on the NO production via modulated iNOS activity and mRNA expression.


2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renke Maas ◽  
Edzard Schwedhelm ◽  
Lydia Kahl ◽  
Huige Li ◽  
Ralf Benndorf ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Endothelial function is impaired in hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Based on mostly indirect evidence, this impairment is attributed to reduced synthesis or impaired biological activity of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO). It was the aim of this study to directly estimate and compare whole-body NO production in normo- and hypercholesterolemia by applying a nonradioactive stable isotope dilution technique in vivo. Methods: We enrolled 12 normocholesterolemic and 24 hypercholesterolemic volunteers who were all clinically healthy. To assess whole-body NO synthesis, we intravenously administered l-[guanidino-(15N2)]-arginine and determined the urinary excretion of 15N-labeled nitrate, the specific end product of NO oxidation in humans, by use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In addition, we measured flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, expression of endothelial NOS (eNOS) in platelets, plasma concentration of the endogenous NOS inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and urinary excretion of 8-isoprostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α). Results: After infusion of l-[guanidino-(15N2)]-arginine, cumulative excretion of 15N-labeled-nitrate during 48 h was 40% [95% CI 15%–66%] lower in hypercholesterolemic than normocholesterolemic volunteers [mean 9.2 (SE 0.8) μmol vs 15.4 (2.3) μmol/l, P = 0.003]. FMD was on average 36% [4%–67%] lower in hypercholesterolemic than normocholesterolemic volunteers [6.3 (4.0)% vs 9.4 (4.6)%, P = 0.027]. Normalized expression of NOS protein in platelets was also significantly lower in hypercholesterolemic volunteers, whereas there were no significant differences in plasma ADMA concentration or urinary excretion of 8-iso-PGF2α between the 2 groups. Conclusions: This study provides direct evidence for a decreased whole body NO synthesis rate in healthy people with hypercholesterolemia.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razika Zeghir-Bouteldja ◽  
Manel Amri ◽  
Saliha Aitaissa ◽  
Samia Bouaziz ◽  
Dalila Mezioug ◽  
...  

Hydatidosis is characterized by the long-term coexistence of larvaEchinococcus granulosusand its host without effective rejection. Previous studies demonstrated nitric oxide (NO) production (in vivo and in vitro) during hydatidosis. In this study, we investigated the direct in vitro effects of NO species: nitrite (NO2−), nitrate (NO3−) and peroxynitrite (ONOO−) on protoscolices (PSCs) viability and hydatid cyst layers integrity for 24 hours and 48 hours. Our results showed protoscolicidal activity ofNO2−andONOO−24 hours and 3 hours after treatment with 320 μM and 80 μM respectively. Degenerative effects were observed on germinal and laminated layers. The comparison of the in vitro effects of NO species on the PSCs viability indicated thatONOO−is more cytotoxic thanNO2−. In contrast,NO3−has no effect. These results suggest possible involvement ofNO2−andONOO−in antihydatic action and point the efficacy of these metabolites as scolicidal agents.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (19) ◽  
pp. 5843
Author(s):  
Shaila Mehwish ◽  
Sanjay Varikuti ◽  
Mubarak Ali Khan ◽  
Tariq Khan ◽  
Imdad Ullah Khan ◽  
...  

Natural products from plants contain many interesting biomolecules. Among them, quercetin (Q), gallic acid (GA), and rutin (R) all have well-reported antileishmanial activity; however, their exact mechanisms of action are still not known. The current study is a step forward towards unveil the possible modes of action of these compounds against Leishmania donovani (the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis). The selected compounds were checked for their mechanisms of action against L. donovani using different biological assays including apoptosis and necrosis evaluation, effects on genetic material (DNA), quantitative testing of nitric oxide production, ultrastructural modification via transmission electron microscopy, and real-time PCR analysis. The results confirmed that these compounds are active against L. donovani, with IC50 values of 84.65 µg/mL, 86 µg/mL, and 98 µg/mL for Q, GA, and R, respectively. These compounds increased nitric oxide production and caused apoptosis and DNA damage, which led to changes in the treated cells’ ultrastructural behavior and finally to the death of L. donovani. These compounds also suppressed essential enzymes like trypanothione reductase and trypanothione synthetase, which are critical for leishmanial survival. The selected compounds have high antileishmanial potentials, and thus in-vivo testing and further screening are highly recommended.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuj K Yadav ◽  
Michael C. Lee ◽  
Melissa Lucero ◽  
Christopher J. Reinhardt ◽  
ShengZhang Su ◽  
...  

<p>Nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in acute and chronic inflammation. NO’s contributions to cancer are of particular interest due to its context-dependent bioactivities. For example, immune cells initially produce cytotoxic quantities of NO in response to the nascent tumor. However, it is believed that this fades over time and reaches a concentration that supports the tumor microenvironment (TME). These complex dynamics are further complicated by other factors, such as diet and oxygenation, making it challenging to establish a complete picture of NO’s impact on tumor progression. Although many activity-based sensing (ABS) probes for NO have been developed, only a small fraction have been employed <i>in vivo </i>and fewer yet are practical in cancer models where the NO concentration is < 200 nM. To overcome this outstanding challenge, we have developed BL<sub>660</sub>-NO, the first ABS probe for NIR bioluminescence imaging of NO in cancer. Owing to the low intrinsic background, high sensitivity, and deep tissue imaging capabilities of our design, BL<sub>660</sub>-NO was successfully employed to visualize endogenous NO in cellular systems, a human liver metastasis model, and a murine breast cancer model. Importantly, its exceptional performance facilitated the design of a dietary study to examine the impact of NO on the TME by varying the intake of fat. BL<sub>660</sub>-NO provides the first direct molecular evidence that intratumoral NO becomes elevated in mice fed a high-fat diet who became obese with larger tumors compared to control animals on a low-fat diet. These results indicate that an inflammatory diet can increase NO production via recruitment of macrophages and overexpression of iNOS which in turn can drive tumor progression.<br></p>


2001 ◽  
Vol 281 (2) ◽  
pp. H796-H803 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Stepp ◽  
Daphne Merkus ◽  
Yasuhiro Nishikawa ◽  
William M. Chilian

Increases in shear stress promote coronary vasodilation by stimulating the production of nitric oxide (NO). Whether shear stress-induced NO production also limits vasoconstriction in the coronary microcirculation in vivo is unknown. Accordingly, we measured microvascular diameter and flow velocity in the beating heart along with estimated blood viscosity to calculate shear stress during vasoconstriction with endothelin or vasopressin. Measurements were repeated in the presence of N G-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA) to inhibit NO production and BQ-788 to block NO-linked endothelin type B receptors. BQ-788 did not augment steady-state constriction to endothelin, suggesting that NO production via activation of this receptor is inconsequential. l-NMMA potentiated constriction to both agonists, particularly in small arteries (inner diameter >120 μm). Shear stresses in small arteries were elevated during constriction and further elevated during constriction after l-NMMA. These observations suggest that NO production limits vasoconstriction in the coronary microcirculation and that the principal stimulus for this governance is elevated shear stress. The degree of shear stress moderation of constriction is heterogeneously distributed, with small arteries displaying a higher degree of shear stress regulation than arterioles. These results provide the strongest evidence to date that shear stress-mediated production of NO exerts a “braking” influence on constriction in the coronary microcirculation.


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